Rob Warren Kicks Off Keystone Nationals with a Win at Route 93 Raceway
Slusser, PA – March 7, 2017…Pulaski, New York’s Rob Warren opened the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), 12th Annual Keystone Nationals with a win Tuesday night at RT 93 Raceway.
Rob Warren got his 2017 Keystone Nationals off to a good start with a win at RT 93.
After he struggled early in the evening with the same connection issues that have plagued him of late, the driver of the 1st to Finish Race Servers ride was able to stay online and take advantage of Joe Achzet’s misfortunes with the same problem Warren had experienced.
“It’s not a bittersweet win but it’s about as close,” said Warren after the race. He went on to explain that he would have rather raced against Achzet and a couple other racers including Ray Sand, Jr. who was making his first SUPRS appearance in nearly a year. “With the Steve, who runs so fast here not being here, with the Ray making his first appearance in a year then going home early, and then with the Joe taking off at the start and then him losing connection, that win was a gimme,” he said.
Achzet was clearly the class of the field, taking the lead early after pole-sitter Domenic Gioia faltered at the drop of the green flag, then holding a steady car length in front of Warren until he fell out of the race server on lap eight. This handed the lead to Warren who won by nearly seven seconds over last year’s RT 93 winner Bob Gangwer.
While Warren was way out front, Domenic Gioia, Derrick Backus, Gangwer, and Keith Powell were putting on a whale of a show. Every driver pushed their cars to the limit, and on a couple of occasions beyond, as they jockeyed for position.
TAKE a LOOK at the KEYSTONE NATIONALS SCREENSHOT GALLERY
Gangwer somehow came out on top and was standing on the podium for the third year in a row when the checkered flag dropped. Said Gangwer of his race, “Congratulations to Rob, I know how frustrated he’s been trying to keep a connection and I feel for Joe and Ray too because I know how it feels.
“I had a good run tonight and I had a blast racing with Derrick, (Backus), Keith, (Powell), and Domenic, (Gioia). That was some real intense racing on this very technical track”
For a guy that hadn’t been to RT 93 since 2011, Keith Powell fared very well with solid top three. “Six years ago is the last time that I was at this joint,” confirmed the Icings on Top sponsored racer. “Congrats to Rob. It’s a real bummer what happened to Joe tonight, we needed him up there to keep Rob honest.
Powell himself could be the one that will keep Warren on his toes in the points battle, a fact that wasn’t lost on the CPR Motorsports driver. “I was decent and just wanted to get out of here with a top five tonight so I accomplished that.”
Keystone National Points
Derrick Backus was fast qualifier and had a solid fourth place run in the feature. Warren and Achzet each won a heat race.
The Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series racers continue their trek through PA tomorrow for night two of the SUPRS 12th Annual Keystone Nationals at Nazareth Speedway. This race will be available for fans and family to enjoy via the SUPRS LIVE! page beginning at 7pm. Official Practice gets underway at 8pm with racing slated to go at 9:00pm.
Fans of supermodified racing and online sim racers alike can learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Circling SUPRS on Google+, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube.
RACE RESULTS
- 12th Annual Keystone Nationals Race 1
- Race 30 of 42
- March 7, 2017
- SUPRS NASCAR Heat W v6 mod
- RT 93 Raceway
- 50 Laps
Supermodified Time Trials (showing car number, driver name, hometown, sponsors, lap 1, lap 2-best lap underlined)
- 61-Derrick Backus; Mexico, NY; Jose’ Cuervo Tequila, Disturbed Motorsports: 13.567, 13.338
- 35-Rob Warren; Pulaski, NY; 1st to Finish Race Servers, Designs of Elegance: 13.352, NT
- 14-Joe Achzet; Yorkville, NY; Cottontail Designs, GraphX: 13.357, NT
- 9-Domenic Gioia; Oswego, NY; Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Team Domination Motorsports: 13.778, 13.473
- 41-Keith Powell; Carrollton, OH; Icings on Top, CPR Motorsports: 13.510, 13.479
- 25-Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN; Wing Side Up Enterprises, RW Woodworking: 13.859, 13.553
- 42-Carl Becker; Lansing, MI; Wholesale Diamond Exchange, Michigan Hill Gang: 13.909, 13.753
- 38-Kyle Clark; Mexico, NY; Coors’ Light, Disturbed Motorsports: 13.879, 14.074
- 52-Dave Brigandi; Syracuse, NY; Brigandi Carpet and Tile, Terry: 14.087, 14.320
- 7-Nelson Rodrigues; Stoneham, MA; Star Speedway: 14.629, 14.323
- 18-Ray Sand, Jr.; Rochester, NY; SandmanRacing.com: NT
Supermodified Heat Race 13 Laps (showing car number, driver name-top xxx get time back)
- 35-Rob Warren
- 9-Domenic Gioia
- 25-Bob Gangwer
- 38-Kyle Clark
- 52-Dave Brigandi
- 18-Ray Sand, Jr. DNS
Supermodified Heat Race 13 Laps (showing car number, driver name-top xxx get time back)
- 14-Joe Achzet
- 61-Derrick Backus
- 41-Keith Powell
- 42-Carl Becker
- 7-Nelson Rodrigues
Supermodified Feature 75 Laps (showing car number, driver name, bonus, starting place, fastest lap, distance behind winner)
- 35 Rob Warren: ! | * | ** | P3 | 13.423
- 25-Bob Gangwer: P5 | 13.472 | +6.879
- 41-Keith Powell: P6 | 13.431 | +8.820
- 61-Derrick Backus: P4 | 13.525 | +9.260
- 9-Domenic Gioia P1 | 13.433 | +9.504
- Carl Becker: P8 | 13.462 | +12.800
- 38-Kyle Clark: P7 | 13.637 | +1 Laps
- 52-Dave Brigandi: P9| 13.637 | +1 Laps
- 7-Nelson Rodrigues: P10 | 13.760 | +3 Laps
- 14-Joe Achzet: * | P2 | 13.442 | DNF (Dropped Connection)
- 18-Ray Sand, Jr.: DNS
Time of Race: 12:32.421
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race
